ATI Musculoskeletal Trauma Practice Questions
A nurse is assessing a client who has a fracture of the femur. The nurse obtains vital signs on admission and again in 2 hours. Which of the following changes in assessment should indicate to the nurse that the client could be developing a serious complication? a. Increased respiratory rate from 18 to 44/min. b. Increased oral temperature from 36.6ºC (97.8ºF) to 37ºC (98.6ºF). c. Increased blood pressure from 112/68 to 120/72 mmHg. d. Increased heart rate from 68 to 72 bpm.
a. Increased respiratory rate from 18 to 44/min.
A nurse is caring for a client who had a left hip arthroplasty. Which of the following interventions should the nurse use to prevent dislocation? a. Maintain foam wedge between legs. b. Encourage use of elastic stockings. c. Monitor for shortening of the affected leg. d. Avoid flexing the hips more than 60º.
a. Maintain foam wedge between legs.
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of a femur fracture. Which of the following parameters should the nurse include in the evaluation of the neuromuscular status of the client's affected extremity? Select all that apply. a. Color b. Temperature c. Ecchymosis d. Skin integrity e. Sensation
a. Color b. Temperature e. Sensation
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who had a femoral head fracture 24 hours ago and is in skin traction. The client reports shortness of breath and dyspnea. The nurse should suspect that the client has developed which of the following complications? a. Pneumonia b. Fat embolism c. Pneumothorax d. Airway obstruction
b. Fat embolism
A nurse is assessing a client following the application of a leg cast for the treatment of a fracture. If the cast is too tight, which of the following findings should the nurse expect to observe first? a. Change in temperature of the toes. b. Pallor of the toes. c. Edema of the toes. d. Inability to move toes.
b. Pallor of the toes.
A nurse is caring for an adolescent client who has a newly applied fiberglass cast for a fractured tibia. Which of the following is the priority action for the nurse to take? a. Perform a neuromuscular assessment. b. Explain the discharge instructions to the client and parents. c. Provide reassurance to the clients and parents. d. Apply an ice pack to the casted leg.
a. Perform a neuromuscular assessment.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a fractured tibia as a result of a fall. The client x-ray shows that the bone is splintered into several pieces around the shaft. The nurse should identify that the client has which of the following types of fractures? a. Impacted b. Transverse c. Comminuted d. Oblique
c. Comminuted
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following an open reduction and internal fixation of a fractured femur. Which of the following actions is the most important for the nurse to complete in the postoperative period? a. Medicate the client for pain. b. Instruct the client on use of crutches. c. Perform neuromuscular checks of the extremities. d. Direct the client to perform exercises of the ankle and toes.
c. Perform neuromuscular checks of the extremities.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a fracture of the right tibia and a fiberglass cast. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching? a. Use a blow dryer on a moderate heat setting to dry the cast after showering. b. Use a cotton swab to relieve itching under the cast. c. Report any worsening or unrelieved pain. d. Avoid moving the affected leg.
c. Report any worsening or unrelieved pain.
A nurse is caring for a client who has an unprepared femur fracture of the midshaft. Which of the following techniques should the nurse use when performing an assessment of the client's neurovascular status? a. Measure the circumference of the thigh. b. Palpate the femoral pulse. c. Monitor the client's calf for edema. d. Instruct the client to wiggle his toes.
d. Instruct the client to wiggle his toes.
